There are Christmas parades and then there is the World Famous Two-Lap Denver Neighborhood Christmas Parade. Both are wonderful, but only something with a name that long and a cast as eclectic as the community whose name it bears can illicit the kind of holiday joy that comes each Sunday before Christmas in the Upstate.

For years, the World Famous Two-Lap Denver Neighborhood Christmas Parade has brought together businesses, civic organizations, visiting family, individuals and so many more to the small town of Denver, South Carolina. Less of a town and more a small, unincorporated spot that sometimes shows up on only the most detailed of maps, Denver is a spot between Anderson and Sandy Springs that you will miss if you happen to sneeze while driving by. But what it lacks in size and population, it more than make up for in the Christmas spirit.

The two-lap parade starts and ends on Denver Road at the Denver crossing about ¾ of a mile off U.S. 76. The event is famous because of its lack of organization and the number of people who show up to take part in the event.

Parade helpers have often said there is no other parade like the Denver parade. There is no registration to fill out and no entry fee to take part. There are no directors, no awards and no officers that put the parade together. Instead, it’s just a way for anyone (inside or outside the community) to take part in a fun-loving, whimsical parade that goes a couple of miles.

Santa waves to the crowd Sunday as he travels the Denver Downs Christmas Parade route in a golf cart.(Photo: Richard Kelly/Special to the Independent Mail)

You know it’s the Denver Two-Lap Parade because the floats are made entirely at home; there are antique cars that fill the streets, people will bring anything and everything to ride from bicycles and dirt bikes to scooters and mopeds and marchers will just show up to walk the parade with everyone else. Aside from the rules of decency, there really are no rules associated with the World Famous Two-Lap Denver Neighborhood Christmas Parade, and people like it that way.

Everyone is led from the lineup spot by the Sandy Springs Fire Department and marchers from the Hejaz Shrine Patrol. It concludes with Santa on top of another Sandy Springs firetruck followed by horses with decorated saddles.

In between is where you see the wild things. The wacky floats, the goofy grins and the great times and memories made with each passing moment.

The parade will begin lining up at 2 p.m. Sunday on Denver Road. It will roll out around 3 p.m. All you have to do to participate is get to the line up and enjoy. Or, if you just want to see the parade, find a spot along Denver Road and enjoy.

For more information, call 864.261.8638.

IF YOU GO

What: World Famous Two-Lap Denver Neighborhood Christmas Parade

When: 3 p.m. Sunday (lineup begins at 2 p.m.)

Where: Denver Road, off U.S. 76 in Anderson

Admission: free

A Gingerbread on Strike float was one of the quirky entries Sunday in the Denver Downs Christmas Parade.(Photo: Richard Kelly/Special to the Independent Mail)